It's Chic To Be a Geek

It's Chic To Be a Geek

17% of Americans describe themselves as geeks.

See also Geeks in Pop Culture In a bizarre inversion of the high school pecking order, geeks are popular. A clear majority of Americans say that being called a geek is a compliment, according to a new survey from Modis, an IT-industry staffing company. Actually, more Americans would prefer to be called a geek than a jock. Why? Among other reasons, geeks are considered extremely intelligent people and are seen as reliable sources for tech advice -- and who doesn’t need tech advice? "Being a geek has gone mainstream," says Jack Cullen, president of Modis. "It might be Americans' increasing dependence on and comfort with technology. Or the prevalent images of former geeks who now successfully lead multi-billion dollar technology companies." That said, IT geeks are especially appreciated in the workplace if they can discuss tech-related topics in a clear, jargon-free manner, and understand how tech fits in with the broader business strategies of their organizations. An estimated 1,000 Americans took part in the research. For more about the survey, click here.